Apparel supporting device



Patente Jan. 4, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPAREL SUPPORTING DEVICE Harry Curtis Guyer, Charleston, W. Va. Application June 19, 1937, Serial No. 149,240

15 Claims.

This invention relates broadly to devices for supporting and adjusting wearing apparel and, more particularly has to do with devices which may be worn by a person and which are intended for the purpose of connecting the trousers or skirt to a shirt or blouse, to thereby support the trousers or skirt and to hold down the shirt or blouse.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device of the character described which may be rigidly and detachably attached to either the trousers or shirt and to which is connected a flexible or resilient means for attachment to a second article of wearing apparel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for attaching the trousers to the shirt and which will include means for adjusting the length of such connecting means whereby an adjustment in the relative positions of the trousersand shirt may be achieved.

" A further object is to provide a device for attaching the trousers to the shirt which will include resilient means whereby the burden of the articles of wearing apparel on the person using the device is eased and whereby a constant tension between the connected articles or wearing apparel is obtained.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device for attaching the trousers to the no shirt, which device may be easily and quickly applied or removed and; which may be easily and permanently adjusted to any desired length. It

' is also intended to provide a device which may be easily and cheaply manufactured but which will be strong and rugged in construction.

Other objects and features of novelty of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the annexed drawing, it being clear- 1y understood, however, that the invention is not limited in any way by such description and drawing, or otherwise than. by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing in which similar reference characters denote like parts:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a device according to the present invention in position attaching the trousers to the shirt of awearer;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the parts of the device disclosed in Fig. 1, and taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3; 1

Fig. 3 is a side view of the device disclosed in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention, illustrated in position attaching thetrousers to the shirt of a wearer.

. hole.

By the present invention I propose to provide a device which may be attached at its one end to the trousers or shirt of a person who may employ the device, and at its other end to the button or button hole on a shirt or blouse which such 5 person may wear. In a preferred form of the invention a portion of this attaching device is formed of some resilient material whereby the two articles of wearing apparel which are connected will be constantly urged toward each other 10 by the tension exerted thereon by such resilient member.

In one form of my invention I provide means for adjusting the overall length of the attaching device whereby the effective length thereof may 15 be varied in order to adjust the relative positions of the articles of apparel which are connected. Such a device is illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and, referring particularly to Fig. 1, it will be seen that I have there illustrated such a device in position connecting the trousers l to the shirt 2 of a wearer. In this form of my invention there is provided a head piece 3 which may be of any desired size and shape but which is preferably formed of generally triangular shape with the broadest side of the triangle disposed to the bottom. On the rear face of this head member there is formed or connected a bar. 4 which preferably extends transversely of the head member and which is adapted to be inserted through a button hole 5 of the shirt 2, whereby the head member will be supported adjacent such button Obviously, any other form of device for attaching the head member to the button or button hole of the shirt may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention.

In order to connect the head 3 to the trousers l and to thereby connect together the trousers and the shirt, I provide a flexible or resilient cord or strap device It), the middle portion I l of which is formed as a depending loop which may be engaged with a button [6 carried by the trousers]. Arranged interiorly of the head 3, and at opposite sides thereof, are two guide members l2 and IS, the same being formed with upwardly-facing semi-circular faces which are preferably grooved in order that the opposite ends of the cord member I 9 may be passed across these guides. Formed in the lower face of the head member 3 and disposed adjacent the inner terminals of the guides I2, [3 are openings [4, l5 through which the opposite ends of the cord member l0 extend for attachment to a slide member as will be more fully set forth hereinafter. l

Means are provided by the invention for adjusting the effective length of the cord member III in order to vary the distance between the bar entirely enclosed. Formed in the upper and lower faces of the slide member and arranged at each of the opposite ends thereof are pairs of aligned openings 2|, 2| and 22, 22. One. side of the depending loop formed by the cord I0 extends through the aligned openings 2|, 2| and thence upwardly through thelower face of the head member 3, over the semi-circular face of the guide member provided therefor, downwardly through the opening I4 in the lower face of the head member and thence through an opening 23 in the upper wall of the box-like slide member 20 into the interior of the slide member where it is rigidly attached by some, suitable means. The opposite depending side of the looped portion of the cord I 0 extends upwardly through the aligned openings 22, 22 in the slide member, thence upwardlythrough an opening in the lower face of the head member 3, thence across the semi-circular guide provided therefor, thence downwardly through the opening I5 in the lower face of the head member, thence through an opening 24 which is formed in'the upper wall of the slide member, into the interior of the box-like slide member where this edge is rigidly attached by any -suitable means. Due to the attachment of the opposite ends of the cord member III to the slide 20 it will be apparent that by movement of the slide member toward or away from the head member 3 the effective length of the cord III will be varied, whereby the distance between the loop member II and the bar 4 may be changed as desired. .In so changing the effective length of the cord I 0, the cord will be guided by the aligned openings 2|, 2| and 22, 22 in the slide member and by the semi-circular grooved guides in the head member. Due to this effective guiding action, any undesired displacement of the cord member will be prevented.

Means are provided by the'invention for resiliently and releasably attaching portions of the cord L0. to the slide member whereby the slide member may be held in locked engagement with a desired portion of the cord to thereby effectively maintain the determined effective length ofthe cord and to preventany undesired change in such effective length. Such means comprise the clutch members 30, 3I which are disposed interiorly ofthe box-like slide 20 and at the oppo-' I site lateral face thereof. These clutch members may be formed as elongated devices having finger engaging buttons 32, 33 which extend through openingsformed in the opposite lateral walls of the'slide member. Formed on each of the clutch members and facing-outwardly therefrom toward the lateral walls of the slide are teeth 34, 35 which are adapted to bear upon and engage with that portion of the cord l0 which at anytime may be within the slide member due to the-passage of the opposite ends of the cord member through the alignedopenings 2I, 2| and 22, 22. In order'to provide a 'proper-clutc hing action, there are provided within the slide member 20 resilient springdevices 36 the opposite ends orwhich bear upon the inner faces of the clutch members 30, 3I and resiliently urge these members constantly intoengagement with portions of the cord I0. Obviously any desired form of spring device may be employed for the purpose 2, thereby attaching the upper end of the device to the shirt. The depending loop portion II of the cord I0 is then engaged about a button I6 carried by the trousers I, thereby fully connecting the trousers and shirt. If it is now desired to adjust or vary the relative positions of the shirt and trousers this may be done by pressing inwardly on the finger engaging buttons 32,. 33 thereby forcing the clutch members 30, 3| out of engagement with the opposite portions of the cord Ill against the tension of the spring device 36. After the cord has been released from engagement with the slide 20 by the inward movement of the clutch devices, the slide may be moved either toward or away from the head 3 thereby lengthening or shortening the eifective length of the cord I 0 and moving the depending loop portion thereof toward or away from the bar'4. In this manner the effective length of the entire attaching device may be adjusted or varied as desired in order to provide a desirable and proper tension between the trousers and the shirt.

In this manner the relative positions of these two articles of apparel may be changed.

In Fig. 4 of the drawing there is disclosed a modified form of the invention in which no adjusting means are provided but which is adapted to engage with its opposite ends the button 40 which may be carried by a shirt 4| and a button 42 which may be carried by the trousers 43. In this form of the invention I have provided a rigid attaching loop 44 which may be formed of metal or other suitable material and whichis of such size and dimensions as to permit it to be slipped on the button 40 at one point and to engage, by a reduced portion thereof; with the reduced diameter attaching means of the button. The ends of this loop member 44, which are disposed at the lower portion thereof, are turned back upon themselves to form the.loops 45, 46, to which are attached by any suitable means the opposite ends of a resilient or flexible cord or strap 41. The intermediate portion of the cord 41 forms a depending .loop 48 which is passed about and engaged with the attaching means for the button 42.

The use and operation of this device willbe very apparent.

The open loop device 44 may be slipped over and engaged with a button on.

penders will be obviated. Further, due to the downward tension exerted on the shirt, the device will assist in keeping the shirt collar in its proper position. It will also be seen that a double adjustment feature will be provided by the de vice, in view of the fact that adjustment may be had initially by means of the adjusting clamp and secondarily by means of automatic adjustment of the length of the elastic cord or strap device. Many other advantages and effects resulting from the use of a device formed according to this invention will be apparent.

While I .have illustrated and described two particular embodiments of my invention, it will be apparent that many improvements therein and modifications thereof may be made without departing in any way from the spirit or scope of the invention, for the limits of which reference must behad to the appended claims.

What I claim is: V

1. An apparel supporting device comprising a head member adapted to be attached to an article of apparel worn by a user, a resilient cord member directly connected to said head member and having an intermediate depending loop portion adapted to be directly attached to a second article of apparel worn by the user, and means directly connected to the two ends of said cord member and operable to move said ends with respect to the head member to thereby vary the distance between the intermediate depending loop portion of the cord and the head member.

2. An apparel supporting device comprising a head member adapted to be attached to an article of apparel worn by a user, a resilient cord member having an intermediate loop portion adapted to be attached to a second article of apparel worn by the user, said head member having guides formed thereon over which portions of said cord member extend, and means connected to the ends of said cord member and operable to move said ends with respect to the head member to thereby vary the distance between the intermediate loop portion of the cord and the head member. I 3. An apparel supporting and connecting device, comprising a head member adapted to be attached to an article of apparel worn by a user, and a cord member having a depending looped portionad'apted to beattached to a second article of apparel worn by the user, a plurality of semi-circular guides formed on the head member and'over which portions of said cord are extended, and means attached to the ends of the cord member and movable toward and away from the head member for varying the distance between the head member'and the depending loop member.

4. An apparel supporting and connecting device, comprising a ead member adapted-to be attached to an artic e of apparel worn by a user, a cord member having an intermediate depending portion forming a'loop adapted to be attached to a second article of apparel'worn by the user and having portions slidably supported by the head member, and means attached to the ends of the cord member and movable toward and away from the head member for varying the efl'ective distance between the head member and the depending loop portion. i

5. An apparel supporting and connecting device, comprising a head member adapted to be attached to an article of apparel worn by a user, a cord member having an intermediate depending portion forming a loop adapted to be attached to a second article of apparel worn by the user and having portions slidably supported by the head member, and a device having openings therein through which opposite portions of said depending loop portion of the cord member extend and to which the ends of said cordmem-- ber are attached, said device being movable to ward and away from said head member to thereby vary the distance between the head member and said loop portion.

6. An apparel supporting and connecting device comprising a head member adapted to be connected to one article of apparel worn by a user, and having supporting and guiding portions, a U-shaped cord member having a lower portion which is adapted to be engaged with a second article of apparel worn by the user, a slide member disposed between the lower portion of said cord member and said head member, the

ends of said cord member extending over said supporting and guiding portions and being attached to said slide member, whereby movement of said slide member will vary the distance between said head member and the lower portion of said cord member.

'7. An apparel supporting and connecting device comprising a head member adapted to be connected to one article of apparel worn by a user,

supporting and guiding devices formed on said head member, a cord member having an intermediate depending loop portion adapted to be at tached to a. second article of apparel worn by the user, a slide member disposed between said head member and the loop portion of said cord member, the ends of said cord member extending through apertures formed in said slide member .of apparel worn by the user, a slide member disposed between said head member and the loop portion of said cord member, the ends of said cord member extending through apertures formed in opposite sides of said slide member and extending over said supporting and guid ng devices and being rigidly attached to said slide, whereby movement of said slide toward or away from said head member will vary the distancebetween said head member and said loop portion.

9. An apparel supporting and connecting device comprising a head member adapted to be connected to one article of apparel worn by a user, supporting and. guiding devices formed on said head member, a cord member having an intermediate depending Joop portion adapted to be attached to a second article of apparel worn by the user, a slide member disposed between said head member and the loop portion of said cord member, the ends of said cord member extending through apertures formed in opposite sides of said slide member and extending over said supporting and guiding devices and being attached to said slide, whereby movement of said slide toward or away from said head member will vary the' connected to one article of apparel worn by a' user, supporting and guiding devices formed "on .said head 'member, a cord member having an intermediate depending loop portion adapted to be attached to a second article of apparel worn by the user, a slide member disposed between said head member and the loop portion of said cord member, the ends of said cord member extending through apertures formed in said slide member and extending over said supporting and guiding devices and being attached to said slide, whereby movement of said slide toward or away from said head member 'will vary the distance between said head member and said loop portion, and means carried by said slide member and resiliently urged into engagement with said cord member for attaching said slide member to said cord member.

11. An apparel supporting and connecting device comprising a head member adapted to be connected to one article of apparel worn by a user, supporting and guiding devices formed on said head member, a cord member having an intermediate depending loop portion adapted to be attached to a second article of apparel worn by the user, a slide member disposed between said head member and the loop portion of said cord member, the ends of said cord member extending through apertures formed in said slide member and extending over said supporting and guiding devices and being attached to said slide, whereby movement of said slide toward or away from said head member will vary the distance between said head member and said loop portion, and means slidably carried by said slide member and resiliently and releasably engaged with said cord member for attaching said slide member to said cord member.

12. An apparel supporting and connecting device comprising a head member adapted to be connected to one article of apparel worn by a user, supporting and guiding devices formed on said head member, a cord member having an intermediate depending loop portion adapted to be attached to a second article of apparel worn by the user, a slide member disposed between said head member and the loop portionof said cord member, the ends of said cord member extending through apertures formed in said slide member and extending over said supporting and guiding devices and being attached to said slide, whereby movement of said slide toward or away from said head member will vary the distance between said head member and said loop portion, a clutch member slidably mounted within said slide member and having clutch teeth formed thereon and engaging a portion of said cord member, and means resiliently urging said clutch member into engagement with said cord member.-

13. An apparel supporting and connecting device comprising a head member adapted to be connected to one article of apparel worn by a user, supporting and guiding devices formed on said head member, a cord member having an intermediate depending loop portion adapted to be attached to a second article of apparel worn by the user, a slide member disposed between said head member and the loop portion of said cord member, the ends of said cord member extendin through apertures formed in said slide member and extending over said supporting and guiding devices and being attached to said slide, whereby movement of said slide toward or away from said head member will vary the distance between said head member and said loop portion, a plurality of clutch members each being slidably mounted in said slide member and each having teeth formed thereon adaptedto engage a portion of said cord member, and resilient means urging each of said clutch members into engagement with said cord member.

14. An apparel supporting and connecting device comprising a head member adapted to be connected to one article of apparel worn by a user, supporting and guiding devices formed on said head member, a cord member having an intermediate depending loop portion adapted to be attached to a second article of apparel worn by the user, a slide member disposed between said head member and the loop portion of said cord member, the ends of said cord member extending through apertures formed in said slide member and extending over said supporting and guiding devices and being attached to said slide, whereby movement of said slide toward or away from said head member will vary the distance between said head member and said loop portion, a plurality of clutch members slidably mounted in said slide member and each having teeth formed thereon adapted to engage a portion of said cord member, and a spring device disposed between said clutch members and normally urging both of said clutch members into engagement with said cord member to thereby normally attach said cord member to said slide member. 15. An apparel supporting and connecting device comprising a head member adapted to be connected to one article of apparel worn by a user, supporting and guiding devices formed on said head member, a cord member having an intermediate depending loop portion adapted to be attached to a second article of apparel worn by the user, a slide member disposed between said head member and the loop portion of said cord member, the ends of said cord member extending through apertures formed in said slide member and extending over said supporting and guiding devices and being attached to said slide, whereby movement of said slide toward or away from said head member will vary the distance between said head member and said loop portion, a plurality of clutch members slidably mounted in said slide member and each having teeth formed thereonadapted to engage a portion of said cord member, and a spring device disposed between said clutch members and normally urging both of said clutch members into engagement with said cord member to thereby normally attach said cord member to said slide member, each of said clutch members having means connected thereto and extending exteriorly of said slide member and adapted to be engaged in order to move said clutch members against said spring device and out of engagement with said cord member.

HARRY CURTIS GUYER. 

